A leader of the district unit of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal has been accused of assaulting a businessman, threatening to kill him and snatching Tk 250,000 from his pocket in Gomostapur upazila of Chapainawabganj over a dispute involving outstanding payments.
The victim, businessman Md. Rubel Hossain, 41, has filed a case with the police against 20 to 25 people, naming Md. Al Amin Biswas, a member of the Chapainawabganj district Jubo Dal, as the prime accused.
Al Amin has admitted that his associates assaulted Rubel but denied allegations of snatching money and removing the victim’s clothing.
According to the case statement, around six months ago, Al Amin purchased an LED television from Rubel’s showroom, paying Tk 6,000 in cash and taking the television on credit. He allegedly still owed Rubel Tk 2,500. When Rubel sought the outstanding payment, Al Amin allegedly began making excuses.
The complaint states that at around 7:00 pm on October 16, Rubel was allegedly lured to a decoration shop owned by Mashiur Rahman near the cinema hall in Bazarpara Bazar, Gomostapur Union, on the pretext of settling the outstanding payment.
Upon arriving, Rubel allegedly found several people already present who began verbally abusing him. At one stage, Al Amin Biswas, his brother Md. Momin Hossain, Md. Nurul Islam and around 20 to 25 others allegedly attacked him with sticks and iron rods.
Rubel claimed that he sustained injuries to various parts of his body during the assault. He further alleged that when he fell to the ground, the attackers pressed his throat with the intention of killing him. According to the complaint, Tk 250,000 in cash was also taken from his pocket, and he was subsequently threatened with death.
Local residents rescued the injured businessman and took him to the Gomostapur Upazila Health Complex, where he received treatment.
CCTV footage of the incident reportedly shows several people assaulting Rubel, with Al Amin also visible at the scene. One segment allegedly shows Rubel’s T-shirt being removed while he lies on the ground. The victim further alleged that Al Amin instructed others to beat him. Another segment reportedly captures a threat to detonate a bomb at Rubel’s home.
Rubel Hossain said he and his family had been living in fear since the incident.
“Following the attack, my family and I feel unsafe. His brother openly threatened to detonate a bomb at my house. I want a fair investigation and exemplary punishment for those involved,” he said.
Rubel also alleged that three other people had been assaulted in similar circumstances by individuals associated with the accused since August 5. He claimed that fear had prevented them from speaking out or seeking legal assistance. He called on authorities to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice to prevent further attacks.
Responding to the allegations, district Jubo Dal member Al Amin Biswas said Rubel was owed Tk 2,500 for the television purchase. He claimed that an argument over the money took place around 4:00 pm on October 16 near the helipad area of Hatkhola Bazar.
According to Al Amin, the two sides later met that evening near the Gomostapur cinema hall, at a shop belonging to Rubel’s paternal cousin, to settle the dispute. He alleged that Rubel behaved aggressively during the discussion.
“My associates assaulted him. However, the allegations of money snatching and removing his clothes are not true,” Al Amin said.
He also claimed that Rubel’s cousin had previously owed him Tk 5,500 and that he had asked Rubel to collect the money from his cousin. Al Amin said he had not known that the cousin had failed to pay the amount. He acknowledged that Rubel was entitled to receive the outstanding Tk 2,500 but claimed that repeated insulting remarks by Rubel had led to the assault.
Gomostapur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Nazmul Haque said a case concerning the assault was recorded at the police station on October 26.
“Police are making efforts to arrest the accused, but no one has been arrested so far,” he said.
The allegations remain subject to investigation.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Md. Tarek Rahman, Chapainawabganj Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
